Shoe-lace clamp



(No Model.)

l L. D. CRAIG.

SHOE LAGE CLAMP.

. No. 528,464. Patented oct. so, 1894.

NIT-ED STATES [PATENT OFFICE.

LEE D. CRAIG, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

SHOE-LACE CLAMP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 528,464, dated October 30, 1894. Application filed January 23, 1894. Serial N0.497,789 (No model) l T a/ZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEE DARNEAL CRAIG, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of San Francisco, State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shoe-Lacing Clamps; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of said invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to make, use, and practice the same.

My invention relates to an improved method of securely fastening the tie or bow-knot of shoe-string laces, and consists of a keystoneshaped thin slip'of metal, in the upper or broad end of which is cut a narrow slit or opening, wherein may be slipped a strip of rubber or elastic cloth. Then the metal 'can v the elastic.

by a blow of the hammer, be closed tightly on To the elastic near its overturn, on the inside, I affix a toothed piece of metal that is riveted, or otherwise fastened, to the elastic in the overturn. This toothed metal clasps the strings or laces of the shoe, and when the elastic is tightly clasped and fastened by the hook to the lower laces it holds the bow-knot firmly and securely in its place, leaving a smooth surface that will not wear the lining of trousers or the skirts of dresses, that will not become loose orlose off the shoe while walking, and makes a neat appearance on the instep of the foot, thus insuring a neat, durable, and perfect fastener.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a laced shoe, with my improved fastener attached. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of my fastener, partly opened out. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of same. Fig. lis a longitudinal section of metallic strip forming part of fastener, showing` slot in same, before being closed over elastic strip, forming part of completed fastener.

The letter A is used to indicate the metallic strip or slip which forms part of my irnproved fastener. This strip has a wedgelike or keystone shape. Its lower end (b) is preferably made rounding, to obviate the scraping or cutting of the shoe. Across its upper end, and at right angles to its length, I make aout slit (a) which pushes through its two horizontal sides without cutting away any of the metal, and at the same time gives the up- Vor otherwise pressing in the two sides of the cut (a) in the slip. To the under or inner side of the elastic band I secure a metallic toothed clamp C by means of a projecting end or tongue (a) of same, which, passing through the elastic, is clamped over same by a blow or suitable pressure. (See Fig. 3.) To the outer end of the elastic I fasten a small metallic hook D, preferably as shown in Fig. 2, by bending over the edges of the elastic band and clamping the same through by the teeth or tongues of hook D, ,(see Fig. 3) in similar manner to the toothed clamp l before described.

The manner of applying my improved lace fastener to any shoe is as follows, andas illustrated in drawing, Fig. 1.: The metallic strip A is slipped immediately under the laced bow ofthe shoe, the elastic band is dropped over the bow and the end of same is hooked overone of the cross laces, thus bringing a certain elastic pressure against the toothed clamp over the bow of the lace, holding the same rmly and securely in place, and preventing either its slipping off or untying, without leaving any sharp vmetallic edges or corners projecting p above the same, and thereby preventing any Wear and tear of the trousers or dress.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as newgand desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is- A 1. A shoe-lace clamp consisting of a metal plate, to the end of which is attached an elastic strip, and to the lower side of which elastic strip is fastened a metal toothed clamp, and to the end of which elastic strip isattached a hook of suitable size'and` materialto IOO the lacing so as to hold the exible or elastic covering strip tightly against the face of the lacing, and a device secured to the under face of the covering strip which bears firmly upon the lacing, where Ishe covering strip is held in place, so as to prevent Iche lacing from becoming untied. g

3. For a slice lace clamp, the combination with the covering strip for the lacing of the shoe, said strip provided with end attaching 1o devices, of the metallic clamp plate secured to the under face of the covering strip, said plate engaging with the lacing Where the covering strip is secured upon the shoe.

LEE D. CRAIG. Witnesses:

B. M. WILSON, C. E. KELLEY. 

